EU tech regulators are in touch with messaging app Telegram as it nears a key usage criterion that could see it subject to more stringent requirements under a landmark EU online content legislation, the European Commission said this week. The Digital Services Act (DSA), which kicked in last year, applies to all online intermediaries and platforms, but with tougher obligations on Big Tech to do more to police illegal and harmful online content on their platforms.
Telegram’s User Base and Regulatory Implications
Telegram had 41 million EU users in the six months to February, the company said on its website, below the DSA’s 45 million threshold which would see it labelled as a very large online platform (VLOP) required to comply with stricter obligations. “We are in touch with Telegram,” a Commission spokesman said, adding that the EU executive is monitoring developments and liaising with digital service coordinators.
Current VLOPs Under the DSA
Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google, Amazon (AMZN.O), Apple (AAPL.O), Meta Platforms (META.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O), AliExpress, Snap (SNAP.N), Pinterest (PINS.N), ByteDance’s TikTok, Zalando (ZALG.DE) and three porn websites are among 18 online platforms already designated as VLOPs. These platforms are required to adhere to the DSA’s rigorous standards aimed at curbing illegal and harmful content.
The potential inclusion of Telegram in this list underscores the growing scrutiny on messaging apps and their role in the digital ecosystem. As Telegram inches closer to the 45 million user mark, it faces the prospect of adapting its operations to meet the DSA’s enhanced regulatory framework.
The evolving landscape of digital regulation in the EU highlights the importance of compliance and proactive engagement with regulatory bodies. For Telegram, this means staying ahead of the curve and preparing for potential changes that could impact its service delivery and user experience within the EU.
